36 Accepted

We recommend that the government set out how they plan to prioritise bids for grant...

Recommendation
We recommend that the government set out how they plan to prioritise bids for grant funding through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, including how they will take into account value for money. (Recommendation, Paragraph 102)
Government Response Summary
The government states that Homes England and the Greater London Authority have already published full guidance and assessment criteria for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, detailing how bids are assessed and how value for money is considered.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government Accepted
To tackle the root causes of homelessness and reduce the number of families in temporary accommodation, we must build more homes. The Government confirmed £39 billion for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP), running from 2026 to 2036 at Spending Review. Our ambition is to deliver around 300,000 social and affordable homes over the programme’s lifetime, with at least 60% of homes for Social Rent. This follows £800 million in additional programme funding for the Affordable Homes Programme 2021-2026. We recognise that some types of social and affordable homes that are much needed can often cost more to deliver – such as some homes built by local councils and supported housing. The new programme is designed to be flexible to support the greater diversity of supply needed, and we are asking providers to come forward with ambitious bids. Homes England delivers the programme nationally outside of London, and the Greater London Authority (GLA) delivers the programme within London. Both Homes England and the Greater London Authority published full guidance and assessment criteria for the programme - these set out the detail of how they assess bids, including how they assess value for money against all bids. The Greater London Authority guidance can be found here: London Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026-36 | London City Hall and the Homes England guidance can be found here: Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) 2026 to 2036 - GOV.UK.
Addressee Bodies
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Timeline
Recommendation age 0.3 yrs
Report published 22 Apr 2026